Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Under Attack!!!!

Just when I think everything is safe and sound and coming up roses! We are under attack and the culprit is the devastating winter grain mite. What? What did I just say? Winter grain mite???? Who even knew this creature existed? Not I. A tiny mm large olive colored bug with red/orange legs (what makes it so recognizable) is wreaking havoc on our ranunculus and anemones. I am once again floored at the challenges of growing flowers. Sometimes its a walk in the park, sometimes it takes so much. Probably doesn't help that Stuart, Ruth and I all came down with a wicked nasty flu bug and I'm coughing up my lungs as I try to control this pest. So my plan is to spray Bullseye on them, a spinosad type OMRI approved spray, alternately with some kelp and nutritionally packed foliar sprays in the hopes that I can bring them back to healthy living. Back to that nice healthy green. Maybe that is why I succumbed to the flu; being so in tune with my favorite ladies I couldn't stand to feel healthy while they were being eaten alive. No? Too much of a stretch? Perhaps. Regardless, it hasn't been the best way to bring in the new year. Let's hope I didn't wait too long on my death bed before getting out there to spray these suckers.